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The Los Angeles Rams have been stuck using a three-man tight end rotation this season because of the glaring absence of Tyler Higbee.
Los Angeles’ top tight end has not played yet this year due to a torn ACL he suffered on a dirty low hit during the 2023 playoffs. Higbee has been all of 2024 rehabbing and trying to get back on the field. Meanwhile, the trio of Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long have combined for 34 receptions for 296 yards and zero touchdowns. In other words, Higbee has been missed.
So when can L.A. head honcho Sean McVay, QB Matthew Stafford, and the rest of the Rams and fantasy footballers expect Higbee to make his triumphant return? Here is the latest:
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When Is Tyler Higbee Coming Back?
There is no definite timetable on when Higbee is coming back, even though his injury happened during last postseason and there were encouraging signs in October that he was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
Sean McVay provided a positive update on Tyler Higbee:https://t.co/cuhZ0mmwr3
— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) October 17, 2024
Fellow tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Minnesota Vikings recently returned from his own torn ACL, an injury he suffered a couple weeks before Higbee suffered his. That bodes well for Higbee, although the Rams have been tight-lipped about which week he will get back on the field. There could be a chance that he does not come back until 2025 with how things are progressing.
So for now there is no certainty that Higbee is suiting up Week 11 for the Rams and for fantasy managers who have stashed him on their rosters all season. The hope seems that he will be back before the end of the season, but when exactly is as up in the air as a hot air balloon.
Tyler Higbee’s 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Do not expect Higbee to get on the field and immediately start playing like Rob Gronkowski. Other than an ungodly five-game stretch in 2019, Higbee has been a rather pedestrian fantasy player throughout his career. Over the last five seasons he has averaged 580 receiving yards and 3.5 touchdowns per year, making him a solid TE2 for fantasy squads, but nothing more than that.
McVay’s offenses have never rallied around its tight ends, and that has been evident again this season. When everyone is healthy and the unit is clicking, the offense goes through top tailback Kyren Williams and wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Those three ball hogs do not normally leave many touches or targets for Higbee or the other tight ends on the roster with the way McVay calls his plays.
Higbee is bound to get off to a slow start anyway as the Rams ease him back into the fold. There is no reason to rush him into full-time work when Parkinson and Allen are capable tight ends.
Fantasy managers in need of a tight end down the stretch should not bank on Higbee being their savior. When he is 100 percent and playing his best he is not a fantasy TE1. There are better options available on your league’s waiver wire if you need a tight end upgrade or fill-in.
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